PRI's The World: 7/29/14

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How Iraq was lost. A documentary filmmaker goes back and pieces together the moments where the US seems to have lost the war in Iraq. Plus investigators are still trying to reach the crash site of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine, but fierce fighting is blocking their way. And, a Russian ban on underwear.

Stories in this Edition

Zhou Yongkang was considered one of the most powerful people in China not so long ago. He had immense wealth, connections and political power. But it turns out that Zhou was not untouchable. The ruling Communist Party has announced that he is being investigated on charges of corruption. And he might be purged from the party.

The once frightening and desolate border that separated western Europe from the Communist countries is taking on a new role. The Iron Curtain is now a 5,000-mile network of bicycle paths that go past guard towers, barbed wire fences and other historical landmarks from the Cold War.

The McDonald's menu in China is looking sparse ever since investigative reporters there filmed a local firm allegedly repackaging old meat — even scooping it off the floor — and selling it to fast food outlets. The company, Shanghai Husi Food, is a major supplier to many foreign chains in China, including McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks.

European leaders agreed Tuesday to impose tough economic sanctions against Russia. The new measures are designed to place broad pressure on the Russian economy and force Vladimir Putin into de-escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine. But will the new measures work?

Ukrainian government forces are on the attack close to where Malaysia Airlines flight 17 came down almost two weeks ago. They're trying to surround the key rebel city of Donetsk, but they may prevent efforts to retrieve the remaining bodies and wreckage in the process.

In the chaos following the invasion of Iraq by ISIS militants, Kurdish militias have taken control of oil facilities near Kirkuk — and brought Kurdish oil workers along with them. Baghdad claims it's a power grab, but the Kurds say they're only protecting what's naturally theirs.

Brazil is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be an activist, according to a report by Global Witness. In the past ten years, hundreds of environmental activists who have spoken out against pollution and overuse of Brazil's natural resources have been attacked or killed.